NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes at premier central universities including Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU). This common entrance test provides a standardized pathway for research aspirants seeking admission to doctoral programmes across multiple disciplines. The NTA PhD Entrance Test evaluates candidates on research methodology and subject-specific knowledge through a computer-based examination. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 including notification dates, registration process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, result, cutoff, and admission procedure at participating universities.
Table of Contents
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Highlights
The NTA PhD Entrance Test serves as a gateway for admission to doctoral programmes at four prestigious central universities in India. Before proceeding with detailed information, candidates should understand the key highlights of this entrance examination and the participating universities.
Particulars
Details
Exam Name
NTA PhD Entrance Test 2026
Full Form
National Testing Agency Doctor of Philosophy Entrance Test
Conducting Authority
National Testing Agency (NTA)
Participating Universities
DU, JNU, BHU, BBAU
Programme Level
Doctoral (PhD)
Exam Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Exam Duration
3 Hours (180 Minutes)
Total Questions
100 MCQs
Total Marks
400
Marking Scheme
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
Medium of Exam
English (except language papers)
Maximum Courses
Up to 3 courses per candidate
Age Limit
No age limit by NTA
Official Website
phd-entrance.samarth.ac.in
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Important Dates
The National Testing Agency releases the official notification for PhD Entrance Test typically in the month of August every year. Based on previous year trends, the expected schedule for NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 is provided below. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for confirmed dates.
Event
Expected Dates 2026
Official Notification Release
August 2026 (First Week)
Online Registration Begins
August 2026 (Second Week)
Last Date for Application Submission
September 2026 (Third Week)
Application Correction Window
September 2026 (Last Week)
City Intimation Slip Release
October 2026 (Second Week)
Admit Card Release
October 2026 (Third Week)
NTA PhD Entrance Exam Date
October-November 2026
Provisional Answer Key Release
November 2026
Answer Key Challenge Window
November 2026
Final Answer Key Release
November 2026
Result Declaration
November-December 2026
University-wise Counselling
December 2026 - January 2027
Participating Universities in NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026
Four prestigious central universities participate in the NTA PhD Entrance Test for admission to their doctoral programmes. Each university has its own specific courses, eligibility requirements, and admission policies.
University
Location
Type
Accreditation
Delhi University (DU)
New Delhi
Central University
NAAC A+ Grade
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
New Delhi
Central University
NAAC A++ Grade
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Central University
NAAC A Grade
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU)
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Central University
NAAC A Grade
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying for NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026. While NTA sets the basic eligibility criteria, each participating university may have additional specific requirements for their doctoral programmes.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Criteria
Requirement
Educational Qualification
Master's Degree from a recognized university
Minimum Marks (General)
55% or equivalent CGPA
Minimum Marks (Reserved Categories)
50% or equivalent CGPA
Appearing Candidates
Final year Master's students are eligible
Age Limit
No age limit set by NTA
Nationality
Indian Citizens
Category-wise Marks Relaxation
Category
Minimum Marks Required
Relaxation
General/EWS
55%
No relaxation
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
50%
5% relaxation
SC/ST
50%
5% relaxation
PwD (Persons with Disability)
50%
5% relaxation
University-Specific Eligibility Considerations
Each participating university (DU, JNU, BHU, BBAU) has its own specific eligibility requirements
Universities may have different age criteria for certain programmes
Subject-specific qualifications may vary across universities
Reservation policies follow respective university guidelines
Mere appearance in the entrance test does not guarantee admission
Candidates must satisfy university-specific eligibility at the time of admission
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Application Process
The application process for NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 is entirely online through the official portal. Candidates must complete registration and application submission within the specified deadline.
Step-by-Step Registration Guide
Step 1: Visit the official portal phd-entrance.samarth.ac.in
Step 2: Click on "Register" and read the instructions carefully
Step 3: Enter personal details including Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality
Step 4: Create a unique User ID and Password
Step 5: Verify registration through OTP sent to registered mobile number
Step 6: Login to your dashboard using credentials
Step 7: Fill educational qualifications and other details
Step 8: Select up to 3 courses (one course per time slot)
Step 9: Choose preferred examination cities
Step 10: Upload photograph and signature as per specifications
Step 11: Pay the application fee online
Step 12: Submit and download the confirmation page
Application Fee Structure
Category
Application Fee (First Paper)
Additional Paper Fee
General
Rs. 1,200/-
Rs. 600/- per paper
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
Rs. 1,100/-
Rs. 550/- per paper
SC/ST/Third Gender
Rs. 1,100/-
Rs. 550/- per paper
PwD
Rs. 1,000/-
Rs. 500/- per paper
Payment Mode
Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI
Documents Required for Application
Document
Format
Size
Passport Size Photograph
JPEG/JPG
10KB - 200KB
Signature
JPEG/JPG
4KB - 30KB
Category Certificate (if applicable)
PDF
As specified
PwD Certificate (if applicable)
PDF
As specified
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. The NTA PhD Entrance Test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections covering Research Methodology and Subject-Specific knowledge.
Exam Pattern Overview
Aspect
Details
Exam Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration
3 Hours (180 Minutes)
Total Questions
100 MCQs
Total Marks
400
Number of Sections
2 (Section 1 + Section 2)
Question Type
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme
+4 for correct answer
Negative Marking
-1 for incorrect answer
Language
English (except language papers)
Maximum Courses
3 courses (one per time slot)
Section-wise Distribution
Section
Content
Description
Section 1
Research Methodology
Common for all subject combinations within a group
Section 2
Subject-Specific
Domain-specific questions based on chosen subject
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Syllabus
The NTA PhD Entrance Exam syllabus covers a wide range of subjects across different disciplines. The syllabus is divided into two sections - Research Methodology (common) and Subject-Specific topics. Candidates should prepare according to their chosen subject area.
Section 1: Research Methodology (Common for All)
Research Aptitude and Research Ethics
Types of Research (Basic, Applied, Qualitative, Quantitative)
Research Design and Methodology
Data Collection Methods
Sampling Techniques
Statistical Analysis and Interpretation
Hypothesis Formulation and Testing
Literature Review and Citation
Report Writing and Presentation
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity
ICT in Research
Subject Categories Available
Category
Subjects Covered
Humanities & Social Sciences
History, Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology, Economics, Geography, Education
Languages
English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Foreign Languages
Algebra, Analysis, Differential Equations, Number Theory, Topology
English
British Literature, American Literature, Indian Writing in English, Literary Theory, Linguistics
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Admit Card
The NTA releases the admit card approximately one to two weeks before the examination date on the official portal. The admit card is mandatory for appearing in the entrance test and must be carried along with a valid photo ID proof.
Steps to Download Admit Card
Visit the official website phd-entrance.samarth.ac.in
Click on "Download Admit Card" link
Enter Application Number and Date of Birth
Click on Submit button
Verify all details on the admit card
Download and take multiple printouts
Details Mentioned on Admit Card
Candidate's Name and Photograph
Application Number/Roll Number
Date of Birth and Category
Subject/Course Selected
Exam Centre Name and Address
Exam Centre Code
Exam Date, Time, and Shift
Reporting Time
Important Instructions for Candidates
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Result
The NTA PhD Entrance Exam Result is declared approximately 4-6 weeks after the examination on the official website. The result is released in the form of NTA Score, which is used by participating universities for their admission process.
Steps to Check Result
Visit the official website phd-entrance.samarth.ac.in or nta.ac.in
Click on "Result" or "NTA Score" link
Enter Application Number and Date of Birth
Click on Submit button
View and download the scorecard
Take printout for future reference
Details on NTA Score Card
Candidate's Name and Roll Number
Subject/Course Name
Marks Obtained
NTA Score (Normalized Score)
Category
Qualifying Status
NTA PhD Entrance Exam Previous Year Statistics
Understanding the previous year data helps candidates gauge the competition level and prepare accordingly. The following table provides statistics from the NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2023.
Parameter
Statistics (2023)
Total Registered Candidates
50,971
Total Appeared Candidates
35,896
Appearance Percentage
Approximately 70%
Exam Dates
October 26, 27, 30, 31, 2023
Exam Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Number of Shifts
Multiple shifts across 4 days
Reservation Policy for NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026
The reservation policy for admission through NTA PhD Entrance Exam follows the guidelines of the respective participating universities. The general reservation structure applicable at central universities is provided below.
Category
Reservation Percentage
Scheduled Caste (SC)
15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)
7.5%
Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)
27%
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
10%
Persons with Disability (PwD)
5% (Horizontal)
General/Unreserved
40.5%
Other PhD Entrance Exams in India 2026
Apart from NTA PhD Entrance Exam, several other national-level examinations provide eligibility for PhD admissions in India. The UGC has mandated that universities must accept PhD admissions based on national-level entrance exam scores.
Exam Name
Conducting Body
Subjects Covered
Frequency
UGC NET
NTA
83 subjects in Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce
PhD Programme Fee Structure at Participating Universities
The fee structure for PhD programmes varies across participating universities. The approximate fee range for doctoral programmes at DU, JNU, BHU, and BBAU is provided below.
University
Approximate Annual Fee Range
Duration
Delhi University (DU)
Rs. 15,000 - 50,000
3-6 years
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Rs. 10,000 - 15,000 per semester
3-6 years
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Rs. 25,000 - 50,000
3-6 years
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU)
Rs. 20,000 - 40,000
3-6 years
Fellowship and Financial Support for PhD Students
PhD students who qualify national-level entrance exams are eligible for various fellowships and financial support. These fellowships provide monthly stipends to support research scholars during their doctoral studies.
Fellowship
Eligibility
Monthly Stipend
UGC JRF
UGC NET JRF Qualified
Rs. 37,000/- (First 2 years), Rs. 42,000/- (3rd year onwards)
CSIR JRF
CSIR NET JRF Qualified
Rs. 37,000/- (First 2 years), Rs. 42,000/- (3rd year onwards)
GATE Fellowship
Valid GATE Score
Rs. 37,000/- (First 2 years), Rs. 42,000/- (3rd year onwards)
DBT JRF
DBT JRF Qualified
Rs. 37,000/- (First 2 years), Rs. 42,000/- (3rd year onwards)
ICMR JRF
ICMR JRF Qualified
Rs. 37,000/- (First 2 years), Rs. 42,000/- (3rd year onwards)
University Fellowship
Merit-based selection
Varies by university
NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026 Preparation Tips
Understand the Syllabus: Download the official syllabus PDF and create a comprehensive study plan covering all topics
Focus on Research Methodology: This section is common for all candidates and carries significant weightage
Master Subject Knowledge: In-depth understanding of your specialization subject is crucial for Section 2
Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve past papers to understand question patterns and difficulty level
Time Management: Practice completing 100 questions in 180 minutes with accuracy
Negative Marking Strategy: Avoid random guessing as 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer
Stay Updated: Keep track of current developments in your field of study
Refer Standard Books: Use recommended textbooks and reference materials for thorough preparation
Mock Tests: Take online mock tests to simulate actual exam conditions
Revision Strategy: Create summary notes for quick revision before the exam
Recommended Books for NTA PhD Entrance Exam 2026
Section/Subject
Recommended Books
Research Methodology
Research Methodology by C.R. Kothari, Research Methods by Ranjit Kumar
Political Science
Introduction to Political Science by Shukla, Indian Politics by Rajni Kothari
History
Ancient India by R.S. Sharma, History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
Economics
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Microeconomics by H.L. Ahuja
English
History of English Literature by Edward Albert, Literary Criticism by M.H. Abrams
General Preparation
UGC NET/JRF Paper 1 books, Previous Year Question Papers
Career Opportunities After PhD
Completing a PhD opens up numerous career opportunities in academics, research, industry, and government sectors. The doctoral degree is the highest academic qualification that enables candidates to pursue leadership roles in their chosen field.
Career Option
Expected Salary Range
Assistant Professor
Rs. 57,700 - 1,82,400/- per month (7th Pay Commission)
Research Scientist
Rs. 50,000 - 1,50,000/- per month
Industry Researcher (R&D)
Rs. 80,000 - 2,00,000/- per month
Policy Analyst
Rs. 60,000 - 1,50,000/- per month
Consultant
Rs. 70,000 - 2,50,000/- per month
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Rs. 55,000 - 70,000/- per month
READ MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
NTA PhD Entrance Exam is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes at four central universities - Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU). The exam evaluates candidates on Research Methodology and Subject-Specific knowledge through a computer-based test of 100 MCQs.
Candidates must have completed Master's degree from a recognized university with minimum 55% marks for General category and 50% marks for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD). Final year Master's students are also eligible to apply. There is no age limit set by NTA, though individual universities may have specific age requirements for certain programmes.
Candidates can apply for a maximum of three courses in the NTA PhD Entrance Exam. However, only one course can be selected per time slot as per the examination timetable. Additional papers require payment of extra application fee as specified in the notification.
The NTA PhD Entrance Exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT) of 3 hours duration. It consists of 100 MCQs divided into two sections - Section 1 (Research Methodology - common) and Section 2 (Subject-Specific). Each correct answer carries +4 marks and each incorrect answer results in -1 mark deduction. The total marks are 400.
Yes, there is negative marking in NTA PhD Entrance Exam. For every correct answer, candidates are awarded +4 marks, and for every incorrect answer, -1 mark is deducted. Unanswered questions do not carry any marks. Candidates should attempt questions carefully and avoid random guessing.
The application fee varies by category: General - Rs. 1,200/-, OBC (NCL)/Third Gender - Rs. 1,100/-, SC/ST - Rs. 1,100/-, and PwD - Rs. 1,000/- for the first paper. Additional papers require extra fee of Rs. 500-600/- per paper depending on category. Payment can be made through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI.
Four central universities accept NTA PhD Entrance Exam scores for admission to their doctoral programmes: Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU). Each university has its own specific admission process based on the NTA Score.
Yes, candidates with UGC NET qualification can appear for NTA PhD Entrance Exam. However, it's important to note that many universities, including JNU, now accept PhD admissions directly based on UGC NET/JRF/GATE scores. Candidates should check the specific admission requirements of their preferred university before applying.
The NTA Score obtained in the PhD Entrance Exam is valid for admission in the academic year for which the examination is conducted. The score is shared with participating universities for their respective admission processes. Candidates must apply to universities within the specified admission window.
The NTA Score is a normalized score calculated using a specific formula that accounts for variations in difficulty level across different shifts and sessions. The raw marks obtained by candidates are converted to NTA Score on a scale, which is then used by participating universities for merit list preparation and admission.
Yes, most universities conduct interviews or viva-voce as part of their PhD admission process after the entrance exam. The final selection typically involves a combination of entrance exam score (70%) and interview performance (30%). Some universities may also consider research proposals or presentations during the interview.
Exam centre allocation is done by NTA based on the preferences provided during application. Once allocated, the exam centre cannot be changed. Candidates are advised to carefully select their preferred cities during the application process. NTA reserves the right to change exam centres without assigning any reason.
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